• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Mini Review: Zalman VF700 on X800 Pro

D

daba

Senior member
Well, here she is:

Pictures
1/6
2/6
3/6
4/6
5/6
6/6
Inside my Rig

I installed this heatsink yesterday on my Sapphire X800 Pro. I run mine at 5V although it is possible to run it at 12V.

Installation
I've heard many horror stories of Zalman products destroying video cards on top of being a pain to install. This one, however, was fairly easy to use. It took about 20 minutes from beginning to end.

Noise
At 5V, it is very silent, although there is some motor noise. But I can barely hear it. At 12V, it is acceptable -- still quieter than the stock ATi cooler.

Performance
Zalman (at 12V):
Idle: 34C
Load: 49C

Zalman (at 5V):
Idle: 36C
Load: 55C

This is better performance than the ATi stock cooler at full speed by a great margin at 12V, and a significant margin at 5V.

Notes
I am very satisfied with this product! It's quiet and it's a great performer. Please note that I'm no longer an overclocker but more silencentric, so this review is a little biased.
 
I've used the NV Silencer on my 6800. At 5V, the Zalman is much quieter than the unadjustable 2500rpm Arctic Cooling Silencer. At 12V, the Zalman is definitely louder. I put the NV Silencer on a resistor but it developed an annoying ticking sound at low RPMs. This one has no ticking noises, aside from a very subtle motor bearing noise (it's ball bearing after all).
 
Originally posted by: Todd33
The Zalman is close to $40 too right?
Click to expand...

I just paid $36 shipped at newegg for the AlCu version. Should be here in a couple more days. I'm looking to put it on an XFX 6600GT.
 
Sure thing anakin71. I'll do that later tonight or tomorrow.

By the way, various resellers have the Cu version for $30, and the AlCu version for $25.
 
Originally posted by: daba
I've used the NV Silencer on my 6800. At 5V, the Zalman is much quieter than the unadjustable 2500rpm Arctic Cooling Silencer. At 12V, the Zalman is definitely louder. I put the NV Silencer on a resistor but it developed an annoying ticking sound at low RPMs. This one has no ticking noises, aside from a very subtle motor bearing noise (it's ball bearing after all).
Click to expand...

Not a real fair comparison, the NV Silencer 5 is different than the ATI Silencer 4
 
It is a fair comparison. In terms of noise, the NV and ATi Silencers differ only in the fan speed (the only source of noise). NV Silencer 5 runs at 2500rpm, and the ATI Silencer 4 runs at 2000rpm. As I already mentioned, the Zalman at 5V is quieter than the Silencers on resistors (bringing them down to 5V) because the Silencers, regardless NV or ATi, develop an audible click at low voltages that is definitely louder than the Zalman at 5V. As a result, the Zalman at 5V is quieter than the Silencers at any given voltage from 5-12V.
 
Thanks! It's working great. I'm having some trouble taking the pictures for some reason. I'll try to do them this weekend.
 
Originally posted by: daba
This is better performance than the ATi stock cooler at full speed by a great margin at 12V, and a significant margin at 5V.
Click to expand...

Does the product allow easy switching from 12V to 5V (with something like a fanmate) or are you using your own resistor or power input?
 
The product comes with a molex connector that is split into four 3-pin connectors. Two of them output 5V, and the other two output 12V.

There is no external switch to make the change. You must disconnect and reconnect the wire on the supplied molex adapter. More info can be found on Zalman's site.
 
is your case a lian li v1000-b? if so, i'm jealous, but the fan looks sweet, i'm using the similar design for my cpu hsf and I couldn't be more pleased.
 
Originally posted by: shock311
is your case a lian li v1000-b? if so, i'm jealous, but the fan looks sweet, i'm using the similar design for my cpu hsf and I couldn't be more pleased.
Click to expand...

It is indeed a Lian Li V1000B! The fans I use are Nexus and they are extremely quiet. They do a very adequate job of cooling my PC as well.
 
Originally posted by: daba
Installation
I've heard many horror stories of Zalman products destroying video cards on top of being a pain to install. This one, however, was fairly easy to use. It took about 20 minutes from beginning to end.
Click to expand...

How did you remove the push pins holding the original heat sink to the GPU? Is there a little tool that does that?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top